Create Portrait Mode Presentations in BrightAuthor

Owned by BrightSign TechDocs
Last updated: Sept 16, 2024
2 min read

BrightAuthor versions 4.3.0.x and later support portrait-mode presentations. To create a portrait-mode presentation, change the Monitor orientation in the New Project window when creating a new presentation:

  • For 90 degrees clockwise rotation, use the Portrait - bottom on right option.

  • For 90 degrees counter-clockwise rotation use the Portrait - bottom on left option.

Portrait mode is supported on XTx44/43, XDx34/33, HDx24/23, LS424/423, 4Kx42, XDx32, XDx30, and HDx22 models. There are some restrictions on portrait mode usage by model. See the Optimizing Video Quality tech note to learn more about the Portrait mode capabilities of certain models.

Portrait mode is not supported on LSx22 and HDx20 models; see the Portrait Content for LSx22 and HDx20 Players section below to learn more about creating portrait-mode presentations for these players.

A portrait mode presentation will correctly rotate the following content:

  • Videos: Fully supported, including local files and Live/Streaming Video states. Note that portrait video is not supported with interlaced video output modes (e.g. 1080i).

  • Images: Attempting to overlay multiple graphics on top of each other will cause images to render incorrectly or not at all. Also, images in Live Text states will not be rotated, though the text will be.

  • Clock Zones

  • Ticker Zones

  • HTML: See the “Can I display HTML5 in Portrait Mode in BrightAuthor?” FAQ to learn more about using portrait-oriented HTML pages with BrightAuthor presentations.

Note: The Presentation Preview feature does not support portrait-mode presentations. 

Portrait Content for LSx22 and HDx20 Players

For LSx22 and HDx20 players, setting the Monitor Orientation to Portrait in BrightAuthor does not automatically rotate landscape images and video to portrait orientation. Portrait mode in BrightAuthor allows you to preview screen layout in portrait view; it also automatically rotates any text fields, and Clock zones--but it does not rotate video or image content. 

Image and video files have to be already rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise to display properly on a portrait screen, so, for widest compatibility, create your content in portrait mode using your authoring application (e.g. Photoshop, After Effects, etc). It will then present content right-side up when the display is oriented as a portrait.

The image below shows how portrait-oriented image/video content should look on your computer before it is published to an LSx22 or HDx20. This image will display normally on a rotated screen. Note that the resolution remains in landscape mode (e.g. 1280x720 or 1920x1080), so it will look like it's on its side when its on your computer.

RotatedImage2.png